Thread: NC-Dozens at hearing support immigrants in-state tuition

Dozens at hearing support immigrants
Crowd at State Library shows 'overwhelming support' for access to higher education.
By Kristin Collins
kristin.collins@newsobserver.com
Posted: Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009
RALEIGH A public hearing Friday on North Carolina community colleges' decision to admit illegal immigrants turned into a rally for immigrant rights.

A crowd of Latino students - along with educators, activists and civic and religious leaders - filled the auditorium at the State Library, many waving signs and wearing stickers supporting access to higher education for illegal immigrants. More than 50 gave speeches, invoking the Bible, the Declaration of Independence and the language of the U.S. civil rights movement.

Only six people spoke against the State Board of Community Colleges' September decision to admit illegal immigrants at all 58 campuses - a stark reversal in a debate often dominated by opponents of illegal immigration.

"Everyone has a right to an education," said Gloria Garcia of Fuquay-Varina, a Wake Tech student. "It does not matter what race you are or whether you are documented or not."

Several leaders of Charlotte's Latino community travelled to Raleigh for the hearing. Ruben Campillo, who heads the state's chapter of Reform Immigration for America, said he was encouraged by what he described as "overwhelming support" in favor of the policy.

"We need to address (immigration) at the federal level," said Campillo, based in Charlotte, "but in the meantime, we need to continue to give all students the opportunity to pursue an education."

Opponents argued that allowing illegal immigrants into community colleges amounted to a reward for breaking the law. They said illegal immigrants would compete with U.S. citizens in a time of high unemployment.

"Allowing illegal aliens to enroll in our colleges when we have 10 percent unemployment really speaks of incompetence," said Ron Woodard of Cary, head of the immigration enforcement advocacy group N.C. Listen.

The hearing was a legal requirement as the community college board moves toward adopting a permanent rule. System officials said board members will get a full transcript of the two-and-a-half hour hearing and will consider the comments before finalizing the rule next year.

They said the board still has the power to tweak or reverse the rule, which was agreed to this fall after nearly two years of study and intense controversy. It is expected to take effect next school year, lifting a ban that has kept undocumented students out of degree programs since May 2008.

The proposed rule admits illegal immigrants under strict requirements. They must pay out-of-state tuition, about $7,700 a year. They also will get last priority for classes.

Many speakers Friday said immigrant students, many of whom were brought to this country as children and grew up in North Carolina, should be treated as in-state residents.

For legal residents, community colleges grant in-state tuition after they have lived in North Carolina for one year.

"How ridiculous to say people who have been here for many years should pay out-of-state tuition," said James Leutze, who was chancellor of UNC Wilmington until 2001.

William Gheen, head of the Raleigh group Americans for Legal Immigration, which argues for strict immigration enforcement, said the majority was not represented at the hearing. He said most who oppose the decision could not come on a workday.

"This entire meeting is a sham," Gheen said. "It is not a convenient time for the hard workers and the taxpayers of North Carolina."

Immigrant advocates said they mobilized their supporters to come en masse and arrive early to sign up for speaking slots, making sure that their voices were heard first.

"We're tired of a small group dominating," said Melinda Wiggins, a farm worker advocate. "The majority of people really do support access to education for all people."

Some speakers cried as they talked of undocumented students who would be unable to afford out-of-state tuition.

Many comments were greeted with applause and, in the case of state NAACP President William Barber, a standing ovation. Barber compared the plight of immigrant students to the biblical story of Joseph and Mary, who were refused a room at the inn while awaiting the birth of Jesus.

"Instead of saying no room for Hispanic children," Barber intoned, "we would be saying no limits."

Charlotte Observer staff writer Franco Ordoñez contributed.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/breaki ... 33542.html

"Instead of saying no room for Hispanic children," Barber intoned, "we would be saying no limits."

"Everyone has a right to an education," said Gloria Garcia of Fuquay-Varina, a Wake Tech student. "It does not matter what race you are or whether you are documented or not."

This lie is based on a misconception that higher education falls into the category of a "right".

First of all there there is no enumerated U.S. Constitutional "right to an education". In a 5-4 decision, however, the Supreme Court held, in a decision written by Justice Louis Powell, that there is no right to education in the US Constitution. All 50 State constitutions, however, require the education of minors. "Many expressed surprise, since states require the education of minors in their own Constitutions. But Powell ruled there was no right to this on a federal level."

Regarding higher education: Undocumented students are limited in their access to education. Federal law neither prevents admission of undocumented students to college nor does it require proof of citizenship or immigration status for enrollment, however, BUT states are prohibited from giving in-state tuition to undocumented residents if they do not offer the same benefits to out-of-state citizens. Additionally, federal law prohibits undocumented students from receiving federal loans and grants, including work-study jobs, and they are ineligible for state assistance in many states.

The demands of immigrants rights supporters in North Carolina are not based on existing laws but instead are trying to CHANGE eligibility using the typical assaulting methods of pro-illegal arguments on American systems. It would be a grave error for the community college board to sacrifice its own legitimate distinction without legal examination and defense.

Just posted to the comment section:

ratbstard wrote on 12/19/2009 01:38:54 PM:

If IAs couldn't game the system and get so many social services they couldn't afford to be here at all. Anchor Baby=Golden ticket to FREE RIDE.

Immigrant advocates said they mobilized their supporters to come en masse and arrive early to sign up for speaking slots, making sure that their voices were heard first.

"We're tired of a small group dominating," said Melinda Wiggins, a farm worker advocate. "The majority of people really do support access to education for all people."

They had to bus people in and they could only get 50??? They call that a "majority"? PLEASE! The majoirty are against paying for illegal aliens to attend college, you idiot.

"Instead of saying no room for Hispanic children," Barber intoned, "we would be saying no limits."

Another race-baiting idiot spewing lies. What has this got to do with hispanic children? Plenty of them are in college. There are no limits for students here legally. I could care less about those here illegally.